Video protection and video surveillance are two sides of the same coin, addressing two major challenges for airports: security and operational efficiency. Modernising or redesigning video systems goes far beyond simply replacing a fleet of cameras. These systems are complex and fundamental to an airport’s overall performance, and therefore demand tailored support.
When planning such a transformation, it is important to consider existing video fleets, which are often outdated, inconsistent, and sometimes unnecessarily large. These fleets typically operate in a fragmented manner by zone or function. Optimising the performance of the entire system is essential, including rationalising the number of cameras, improving supervision, ensuring interoperability, and strengthening resilience.
The stakes are high. Beyond the critical issues of security and safety—such as incident detection and access control—and the need for smooth flow management (tracking passengers, baggage, vehicles, and ground operations), compliance with a complex regulatory framework must also be addressed. In France, this includes the Cadre Conformité Cyber France (3CF), GDPR and CNIL (the national data protection authority) regulations, the Military Programming Law, the European NIS2 directive, as well as ICAO and EASA standards. Other countries will have their own regulatory requirements, which must be taken into account when implementing such projects.
Video surveillance modernisation projects are also a key lever for achieving comprehensive, reliable, intelligent, and interconnected management, which is strategically important for airports.
This approach relies on embedded intelligence solutions—such as AI and deep learning—to detect weak signals and manage alerts (incidents, abandoned luggage, crowding, fires, etc.). It may also involve centralised supervision through a hypervisor, enabling effective control of all security functions.
This technical, regulatory, and operational complexity calls for a clear strategy, robust planning, and rigorous implementation, particularly regarding transition and service continuity. Therefore, when embarking on such a project, it is essential to choose a partner with extensive knowledge of airport environments and stakeholders. Mastery of video surveillance and supervision technologies, and more generally of information systems, is essential, while maintaining independence from commercially available solutions. In addition to regulatory and cybersecurity expertise, there must be an ability to manage complex projects on operational sites.
Egis mobilises these skills in airports and other sectors (air traffic control centres, metro, motorways, tramways), providing business, technical and regulatory expertise and a different perspective on sensitive issues.
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Note: This article was originally published in Aéroport le mag, a French publication for airport professionals.
